It is worth repeating that Groce puts a big emphasis on recruiting to fit specific roles in his system. With this class, he has at least one guy in every role that fits his system (offensively and defensively.) Per the audio, this was his highest priority with this class. This is a big change.

North Phoenix, Happy Valley Area, I do not know where AZIllini is from but I am thinking Ahwatukee for some reason. AZ, am I right?

Are you in old town area or north Dale?

Im in Chandler, BanananShampoo is in Ahwatukee. I'm heading East Tuesday morning for Thanksgiving in Austin, TX and then on to Salem, Illinois for Christmas. Be back in January. Already chatted w Banana about getting together for a game when I get back, the more the merrier!

To the subject at hand. I had reservations about Colbert but after watching some of his vids and hearing him speak I've changed my opinion. Glad to have him aboard. My excitement is as high as it's been in the past few years! Welcome to our 5 new recruits!

For JG to have a top 25 class in 7 months is unreal. Jaylon Kendrick Maverick Malcolm and Austin is amazing for a 1st time B1G coach. He went into Simeon and Pulled out 2. 3 Out of 5 recruits are from Illinois. This tells me we should be efficiant in state and out. Groce was the right guy. Think about if we have a good season this year and next I dont see why we cant have a top 15 2014 class.

For JG to have a top 25 class in 7 months is unreal. Jaylon Kendrick Maverick Malcolm and Austin is amazing for a 1st time B1G coach. He went into Simeon and Pulled out 2. 3 Out of 5 recruits are from Illinois. This tells me we should be efficiant in state and out. Groce was the right guy. Think about if we have a good season this year and next I dont see why we cant have a top 15 2014 class.

Just wondering why you feel zabo is a long shot? I remember you said he really liked us before. Has something changed or has it never been that strong? Thanks

I never said that Zabo was a long shot. I was asked who I thought we stood the best chance with out of the three and it's definitely Lyle as of today. They will continue to monitor and recruit Zabo. It's just way too early now.

Interesting. Early on in his high school he was rated higher than the Big 3 2013. IIRC, Weber was looking into Jok last year but he had some attitude issues. Any idea on if he's still a top 100 prospect.

Interesting. Early on in his high school he was rated higher than the Big 3 2013. IIRC, Weber was looking into Jok last year but he had some attitude issues. Any idea on if he's still a top 100 prospect.

He fell in the rankings pretty hard after his knee injury. I think he's outside of the top 150 right now.

Im in Chandler, BanananShampoo is in Ahwatukee. I'm heading East Tuesday morning for Thanksgiving in Austin, TX and then on to Salem, Illinois for Christmas. Be back in January. Already chatted w Banana about getting together for a game when I get back, the more the merrier!

To the subject at hand. I had reservations about Colbert but after watching some of his vids and hearing him speak I've changed my opinion. Glad to have him aboard. My excitement is as high as it's been in the past few years! Welcome to our 5 new recruits!

Give me a little notice on which game and where you are meeting and I will probably be able to meet up.

Great first class and a great week for Illini bball, if we whip Hawaii on Friday. Hoping we can get a KBD verbal as well but I think BTF is hinting at early next week but this is just my guess.

You got me. Poor phrasing by my part. If Zabo were to commit today, we are a long shot by far. The staff is just in the beginning phases of recruiting him so we will just have to see how things work out. It's way to early to predict where he ends up.

Interesting. Early on in his high school he was rated higher than the Big 3 2013. IIRC, Weber was looking into Jok last year but he had some attitude issues. Any idea on if he's still a top 100 prospect.

really, I feel like the kid has been under discussion for about 6 years. If someone told me today that he had graduated from college I'd have believed them.

Nunn, Tate signing with Illinois a good sign of relationship between Smith, Groce

About seven months after Smith sat down with Groce for the first time, Simeon guards Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate on Wednesday signed letters of intent on national signing day to officially become members of Groce's first recruiting class at Illinois.

"Honestly, (I was) just being myself," Groce said. "I think Rob appreciated the fact that I try to be myself, and I appreciate that he tries to be himself. ... To be honest with you, it wasn't that big a deal."

"I was trying to get the job and so was he," Smith said. "He won. They thought he was the better candidate. At this point, so do I. After we had a real conversation and I saw his vision for Illinois was the same as mine, everything was good. I want to help build Illinois basketball. That's what we should all be doing."

Groce said the additions should go a long way toward the fast-paced game he wants to play at Illinois.

"No question, we recruited to our system," Groce said from Hawaii, where Illinois is getting ready for a run of four games. "I felt like one of our primary objectives with this '13 recruiting class was to try and get one at each position in that mold. I think all five of those guys certainly fit that attacking style of play."

I think it bodes well for the future, and Groce said as much during Wednesday's teleconference from Honolulu, when he said word of mouth from these current recruits is already helping with players who will be a part of future classes.